C19

She actually managed to snag Lu Jingyue.

As she uttered the final words, she couldn't help but check Gu Qinian's reaction.

Sister...

After some thought, Lu Jingyue turned to Gu Qinian with a smile, "I see Director Gu has this preference as well."

"Director Lu is no different," Gu Qinian replied with a quick glance at Ye Tian.

Their words carried a double meaning, lost on those not in the know.

"How about we join you?" Ye Ziyan suggested, eager to cling to Gu Qinian, particularly in Ye Tian's presence. Asserting her dominance was paramount, especially in front of Ye Tian, where she sought to feel superior.

Ye Tian was about to decline when she heard Lu Jingyue's affirmative response, leaving her no choice but to sit down with them.

What was this?

A mistress face-off?

With a smile, Ye Ziyan beckoned the waiter to add two more settings, "Qinian, why don't you sit next to me?"

Gu Qinian remained silent and still, leaving Ye Ziyan momentarily awkward, while Ye Tian couldn't help but inwardly gloat.

Observing the situation, Lu Jingyue suggested, "Perhaps I should sit across from Ye Tian?"

Ye Tian was tempted to refuse but ultimately restrained herself.

Ye Ziyan, noticing the amusement in Ye Tian's eyes, sent a reproachful look Gu Qinian's way.

"It's fine, I'll sit over there," the man stated coolly.

Lu Jingyue watched with a satisfied smile as Ye Tian thoroughly enjoyed her meal.

Meanwhile, Ye Ziyan, who had hoped to flaunt her status, found her meal bland and unappetizing. She left early with Gu Qinian, barely having taken a few bites.

Reflecting on the look Gu Qinian had given her before leaving, Ye Tian couldn't suppress her laughter.

It was as if she had caught someone red-handed.

The office is the ultimate hotbed for gossip. Within two days at New World, Ye Tian had already grasped the essentials of Liyang's rumor mill.

Her choice of Liyang was based on its friction with Gu's, but to her astonishment, she discovered that despite their rivalry, the two also collaborated. They managed to avoid conflict, leaving her to wonder how they could work together without clashing.

Ye Tian let her imagination run wild once again.

But as the old saying goes, 'Schadenfreude often backfires.'

She had just finished up Ziyan's follow-up work when some very unfortunate news came from the photography team: Ye Tian was assigned as the photographer for supermodel Lin Anna.

The decision-maker was none other than Gu Qinian.

Photography was Ye Tian's bread and butter, but the misfortune lay in who her subject was.

Lin Anna, an international supermodel and one of Vienna's top models, had won countless awards both domestically and internationally. Naturally, her temperament was just as renowned, and not in a good way. The industry had an unwritten rule: photographers come and go, but Lin Anna remains constant. No matter how skilled a photographer was, they had to catch her eye first.

Many top photographers preferred to avoid her wrath, and over time, Lin Anna's notoriety was well-established. Few photographers were willing to put up with her temperament.

After some digging, Ye Tian saw the light. Gu Qinian was clearly targeting her!

The weekend arrived, and Yuvyuv called her up, "Wake up, it's time to get to work on this fine weekend."

Work? What work?

Ye Tian rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock, which pointed right at seven o'clock. "Ancestors, even if there's weekend overtime, don't call me at seven in the morning."

"Lin Anna!" Yuvyuv reminded her.

Ye Tian bolted upright.

She had indeed forgotten about that formidable figure.

"Awake now?" Yuvyuv asked with a hint of glee, glancing at her wristwatch before adding, "Congratulations, Photographer Ye Tian, you have 58 minutes before you're late."

Ye Tian ended the call and shifted into high gear.

With some luck, just the subway ride would take up half an hour.

Ten minutes later, Ye Tian stepped out the door, shoes clicking against the pavement.

She didn't return to Qinian's apartment for two reasons.

Firstly, that man had deliberately set her up. While she recognized the need for experience, particularly with high-profile shoots, she didn't need this kind of hassle. Even established photographers steered clear of Lin Anna, so what chance did she stand, with no reputation to speak of? Lin Anna would have no reservations about giving her a hard time. Especially when it came to one-off payments, Ye Tian wasn't about to waste excessive time on any one individual.

The apartment was essentially in the middle of nowhere. Taking a cab there would cost Ye Tian an entire day's worth of food money, not to mention that she'd have to shamelessly hitch a ride early the next morning. Gu Qinian's moods were as unpredictable as the weather in June, changing at the drop of a hat. She certainly didn't want to risk losing her perfect attendance award due to his foul mood one morning.

Money had become crucial for her now.

Once her grandfather's surgery was scheduled, it would all come down to money. She had managed to get three hundred thousand yuan from Gu Qinian, but that had already gone towards hospital and exorbitant medical bills. If they proceeded with the surgery, the cost would likely be astronomical. She needed to be ready for that.

Ye Tian let out a sigh and boarded the subway.

The moment she arrived at the station, her phone rang with a call from Gu Qinian. She didn't need to answer to know he was calling to reprimand her. Sure enough, he demanded, "Why didn't you return to the apartment?"